MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, the most decorated battalion in the Marine Corps, conducted a combat readiness training exercise here, Sept. 12, to prepare for their upcoming deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The training helped Marines see how multiple elements of an attack work together to accomplish a single mission.
"The junior Marines will be able to see how their small part plays a bigger role in the picture," said Sgt. Daniel Corrigan, a squad leader with Fox Company, a native of Solon, Ohio. "They can see when they take a hill to be support by fire, another element can move in and clear an objective."
The Marines performed a company-size assault on a fortified enemy position, preparing them for large-scale offensives they might perform in the future. The exercise covers many different aspects that go into predeployment training.
The Marines trained with grenades, AT-4 rockets and mock enemy counterattacks. They also incorporated machine gunners on support by fire hills and used their weapon systems to their maximum effective range.
The Marines assaulted enemy positions uphill, carrying the rocket systems and machine guns after only a few hours of sleep. The physically challenging aspect of the training is beneficial to the Marines because of how it reflects being in a combat situation.
Combat readiness involves a Marine's spiritual, mental and physical well-being. All aspects have been covered throughout the predeployment cycle and will continue to be covered before the battalion deploys, said Capt. Jordan Jones, the commanding officer for Fox Company.
The company starts the training in fire teams, consisting of four Marines, working to accomplish a mission.
"From there, we build up a squad and then platoon and finally the whole company," said Jones, a native of New Orleans." We've been doing this for about the last eight months. This is a more complex scheme of maneuver, but it's our job - we're infantrymen."
The exercise gave the entire company the chance to combine all the training the Marines have done for the past eight months, which is vital for the battalion's ability to conduct full spectrum operations.
"This training ensures that we're fully prepared to conduct everything from civil support to offensive and defensive operations," said Jones.
The exercise prepared the Marines for their deployment for the 31st MEU, and for future operations as well as combat.